Otto Erich Deutsch

born Vienna, Sept 5, 1883; died Vienna, Nov 23, 1967

Career Summary

Deutsch studied history of literature and art at the Universities of Vienna and Graz, and
worked as an art critic 1908-09. He served in the Austrian Army during World War I, worked
for a time in the book trade, and became music librarian to the private collector and
musicologist Anthony van Hoboken (1926-35). His first major work was his documentary
biography of Schubert. In 1928, he was given the title of Professor for his services to
the centenary of Schubert's death. Deutsch left Vienna in 1939 for England, becoming a
British citizen in 1947, but returning to Vienna in 1952. While in England, he co-authored
the standard catalogue of Schubert's works, and made important contributions to music
bibliography. Thereafter, he applied the principles of the documentary biography to Handel
(1955) and Mozart (1961).

Deutsch and Schenker

Deutsch and Schenker shared a belief in the ability of original documents to speak for
themselves, as is exemplified by the former's volume on the original editions of
Schubert's Goethe songs (1926), his facsimile of Schubert's diary (1928), and his edition
of Mozart's early self-catalog (1956), as well as the transcriptions in his documentary
biographies.

Deutsch was the general editor of a series of "connoisseur prints" published by Universal
Edition, to which Schenker contributed a facsimile edition of Beethoven's "Moonlight"
Sonata (1921) with reproductions of three sketches, and a Foreword (contract OC 52/238).

The earliest document linking Deutsch and Schenker is a press announcement by the
Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, dated September 15, 1912, announcing a series of
public lectures, the list of speakers including both men (OJ 11/22, [4]). First reference
to Otto Erich Deutsch in Schenker's diary appears to occur on February 24, 1913, when
after attending a lecture by Schenker's pupil Mrs. Sofie
Deutsch--no relation to Otto Erich--Heinrich and Jeanette (Kornfeld) spent the
evening in company with Sofie and Otto Erich (OJ 1/12, p. 316). Thereafter, Schenker met
him not infrequently at the houses of Sofie Deutsch and her brother Fritz Mendl (e.g. OJ
1/12, p. 327; 1/13, p. 473; 1/14, p. 527).

Correspondence with Schenker

The Schenkers' correspondence with Deutsch and his wife Hanna, of which the earliest
items date from 1913, continued to 1939. There are approximately 300 known items of
correspondence, surviving in Vienna (WSLB), New York (in OC Files 12, 18, 24, 39, 44, 50,
54, and A), Riverside, California (OJ 5/9; 10/3), Berkeley, California (BerkAE, [4]), and
in private hands. Between 1927 and 1932, Deutsch was involved in some intermediary
capacity (including handling proof-corrections) with the publication by Drei Masken
Verlag, Munich, of Schenker's Das Meisterwerk in der Musik, and
this accounts for the bulk of their written communications.

Many offprints and clippings of articles by Deutsch are preserved among Schenker's
papers, including several on Schenker's desk at the time of his death (OC 30).

Deutsch reports that Hertzka wants the music connoisseur edition of the
"Moonlight" Sonata to include facsimiles only, not textually cleaned editions. Deutsch
outlines the basis of the contract (editors will receive 8% of the retail price) and the
production timetable. He asks if Schenker would rather take on a different facsimile due to
competition from a Copenhagen publisher. Schenker's Theory of Harmony was not it stock in
Vienna.

Hertzka has not yet gone to Frankfurt.—- He wants to publish the "Moonlight"
Sonata in a series edited by Otto Erich Deutsch. — Would like to do new edition of complete
Beethoven sonatas, but without wholesale reengraving. — Discusses financial arrangements for the
latter, and for the Kleine Bibliothek. — Encloses the contract for Die letzten fünf Sonaten von
Beethoven ... op. 101.

Deutsch will write to the Beethoven House in Bonn to seek permission to
reproduce the manuscript of the "Moonlight" Sonata. He suggests using the first edition as
the source for the missing opening and closing bars, and asks Schenker to refrain from
polemics in his commentary. Copies of the manuscripts of Beethoven's piano sonatas Opp. 28,
109, 110 and 111 should not be difficult to obtain, and he has made inquiries regarding the
manuscripts of Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 106 and Mozart's A minor Rondo K.
511.

Hertzka is sending the publisher's copy of the contract for Die letzten fünf
Sonaten von Beethoven ... op. 101 and the first tranche of honorarium, discusses the facsimile
edition of the "Moonlight" Sonata, raises issues regarding the prospective Beethoven collected
sonatas edition and Kleine Bibliothek, and expresses pleasure that he and Schenker are again in
accord.

The Beethoven House has given permission for the reproduction of the
"Moonlight" Sonata, and have suggested a photographer. Before arranging for the
reproduction, Deutsch asks Schenker to send his existing prints to determine if they are
suitable.

The photograph of Speyer's sketchleaves is still forthcoming. Deutsch has
discovered that a Dr. Wilhelm Kux possesses a further sketchleaf of the "Moonlight" Sonata,
and asks Schenker if he wants Deutsch to try secure a reproduction of it.

Deutsch has written to Wilhelm Kux [about his sketchleaf of the "Moonlight"
Sonata], and has received a letter from Edward Speyer, in which Speyer explains that he
cannot make a copy of his sketchleaf of the "Moonlight" Sonata while in the countryside.
Speyer also writes that a further sketchleaf of the "Moonlight" Sonata is held in the
Fitzwilliam Museum and has supplied a facsimile. Deutsch asks Schenker if he would like him
to write to the Museum to request a photograph of the sketchleaf.

Deutsch asks Schenker to clarify whether bars are missing from the start of
the "Moonlight" Sonata manuscript, as well as from the end. Deutsch outlines Universal
Edition's intended format for the volume, and ask if Schenker approves of their proposals.
Deutsch has written again to Wilhelm Kux requesting a copy of the sketchleaf, and reminds
Schenker to examine the sketchleaf of the Sonata that was reproduced in the Musical
Times.

Kalmus confirms receipt of EA Op. 101 manuscript; he inquires about the
publication sequence between EA Op. 101 and the first issue of the Kleine Bibliothek, and about
the autograph manuscript for which Schenker is waiting.

Deutsch encloses two photographic prints of the Fitzwilliam Museum's
"Moonlight" Sonata sketchleaf. Edward Speyer has not yet had his sketchleaf photographed,
but has sent a description of its content, which Deutsch passes on.

Replying to Schenker's postcard of November 20th, Deutsch writes that the
connoisseur edition is to be reproduced using photolithography, and repeats the particulars
of the Fitzwilliam Museum's "Moonlight" Sonata sketchleaves. Speyer has allowed his
sketchleaf of the Sonata to be photographed, and reports that he also owns a letter from
Beethoven to Schlesinger (Paris) about corrections to the C minor Sonata (Op. 111).
Universal Edition urgently requires a prospectus for the Beethoven day, and so Deutsch asks
for sight of the draft of Schenker's Preface.

Deutsch encloses the photographs of Edward Speyer's "Moonlight" Sonata
sketchleaves and asks Schenker to revise his Preface accordingly, before forwarding the
photographs and Preface to him. The photographic reproduction of the Sonata manuscript in
Bonn has been delayed by a chemical and glass shortage. Schenker's corrections were used for
the prospectus.

The overdue ["Moonlight" Sonata edition] contract is finally ready, and
Deutsch hopes that Schenker is happy with the wording. The Bonn photographs are also ready.
Schenker should expect to receive an edited version of his commentary, and perhaps also an
English translation.

Deutsch thanks Schenker for his postcard of June 26, 1921, and wishes him good
luck in his new home and with his summer trip to Galtür. Deutsch has read issue 1 of
Tonwille with great interest, and hopes that their connoisseur edition will be as
successful.

Deutsch reports that the "Moonlight" Sonata edition is almost finished, but
because of translation problems he has asked Dr. Kalmus to show Schenker the latest revision
of the English preface. Schenker's photographic reproductions will be returned once a sample
print-out of the edition has been prepared and approved. The edition will launch in the
autumn, and Schenker's fee will have increased because of the delay.

Deutsch offers to provide several books to Schenker instead of two or three hardback copies of the
"Moonlight" Sonata edition, and then details several misprints and factual errors in Romain Rolland's biography
of Beethoven.

Deutsch writes that the "Moonlight" Sonata facsimile edition is still being printed, and that he
cannot make a decision on the production of a second facsimile edition until the new contract has been agreed
with Universal Edition. The contract has been delayed by Universal Edition's dispute with Drei Masken. If they
have to abandon plans for the facsimile edition of Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata Op. 24 because of the dispute,
Deutsch suggests Beethoven's String Quartet Op. 95 as an alternative.

Deutsch has learnt from Dr. [Greta] Kraus that Dr. Haas still does not want to allow them to
reproduce facsimiles of Beethoven's "Spring" Sonata Op. 24, because he feels bound to Drei Masken. When
Universal Edition have confirmed this to Deutsch, Deutsch will ask Schenker to propose a different Beethoven
manuscript.

Deutsch has already written to Universal Edition about [Schenker's proposal for a facsimile
edition of] Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 109. Should this plan be realized, he hopes that Schenker will provide
a foreword.

Deutsch reports that Universal Edition has agreed to publish facsimile editions of Beethoven's
Piano Sonatas Opp. 109 and 110; he asks what sources Schenker could make available. Deutsch would also like to
know which Beethoven string quartet Schenker would recommend for a further facsimile edition.

Deutsch apologizes for the delay to Schenker's payment for the "Moonlight"
Sonata facsimile edition, for which Deutsch himself is to blame. Schenker's debt to Seidel's
Book Dealership is 301 marks and 300 kronen, which should be balanced by his income from the
facsimile edition.

Deutsch provides a full overview of Schenker income from the current sales reported by Universal
Edition of the "Moonlight" Sonata facsimile edition, and also his debts at Seidel's Book Dealership; Schenker
owes Deutsch 76.65 marks. Deutsch is dissatisfied with Universal Edition's behavior with respect to the
publication.

Deutsch thanks Schenker for the most recent (sixth) issue of Tonwille. He read Schenker's comments
on Schubert's "Gretchen am Spinnrade" (Op. 2) with great interest, although he did not fully understand them.
Deutsch encloses an announcement from the publisher Vieweg that may be of interest to Schenker.

Deutsch thanks Schenker for quickly providing his text [for the forthcoming Schubert issue of
Moderne Welt]. He has written to Thomas Mann regarding the reference to Schubert's "Der Lindenbaum" in Mann's
novel Der Zauberberg. The Deutsches accept Schenker's invitation for an afternoon snack, but can only come on a
Sunday after Novemeber 2.

Deutsch informs Schenker that due to space constraints the editors have (without Deutsch's prior
knowledge) cut the first four paragraphs of Schenker's article, leaving only the last two paragraphs, which
refer particularly to Schubert. He asks Schenker to agree to this cut, but also offers him the option of
removing his article so that it can be used in full elsewhere. Deutsch asks Schenker to look at a Beethoven
manuscript at Heck's.

Deutsch enjoyed today's afternoon tea at the Schenkers and will return the Vrieslander and Hammer
books to Schenker tomorrow. He asks Schenker to speak to Hoboken about the possibility of him purchasing
Deutsch's collection of Schubert first editions.

Deutsch sends Schenker a dedication copy of the Schubert special issue of Moderne Welt, to which
Schenker contributed an article. Deutsch had already requested a copy to be sent to Schenker from the publisher,
but this has gone missing.

Deutsch thanks Schenker for his postcard [not known to survive] and hopes to speak to him soon
about the matters raised therein. Deutsch, however, could neither read nor understand a sentence from Schenker's
postcard and affixes it to this reply.

Dahms reports plans, with a young Munich publisher, to launch a popular music
"almanach," anti-modern, propagandizing for "our ideas," and later a serious periodical. —
He has to raise 10,000 Marks, and asks for Heinrich's help in doing this. — Margarete has
had surgery.

Dahms thanks Schenker for his report [on the viability of the almanach
proposal]. — He plans to devote part of the almanach to Beethoven, and asks whether Schenker
might contribute something new, or grant permission to reprint some of what he has written
in Der Tonwille.

Hoboken will probably not now visit Schenker in Galtür; explains his and his
wife's departure from Munich and their subsequent travels to Bern, Naples, and Capri, and
reports that his house in Vienna should be ready for occupancy on October 1. — Vrieslander and
he are considering founding a music journal, and wish to discuss the idea with Schenker.

Deutsch thanks Schenker for his recent communications, including a copy of the
contract with Drei Masken Verlag for the Meisterwerk Yearbook, and asks for a copy of
relevant extracts from the correspondence with the publishers. He reports progress in the
establishment of a Photogram Archive at the Austrian National Library, with the cooperation
of Dr Robert Haas and financial support from Anthony van Hoboken; similar plans to
photographically reproduce autograph manuscripts are underway at the Beethoven House in
Bonn, and (for manuscripts of Bach and Handel) also in England. He advises Schenker that
proofs will start arriving from the printing-house Waldheim in a few weeks, and expresses
his delight in being able to assist Schenker in the promotion of his work.

This document contains drafts of two alternative letters to Drei Masken
Verlag, one asking them to return the manuscript of the second Meisterwerk Yearbook and
threatening legal action for financial damage, the other authorizing Otto Erich Deutsch as
representative of a group of students who will offer financial support to make it
financially easier for the publishers to bring out the Yearbook.

Einstein thanks Schenker for the information provided (via Otto Erich Deutsch)
about the manuscripts of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and uses the opportunity to express his
happiness that production of the second Meisterwerk Yearbook is now
underway.

Vrieslander informs Schenker that Alfred Einstein (DMV) has decided to engrave
the music examples for the second Meisterwerk volume in order to ensure a flawless
reproduction. He also reports that the width of the pages in the supplement will be
expanded, and notifies Schenker of the changes that he will make to the music examples
following this decision. Vrieslander states he has officially enquired with Einstein about
potential problems in the printing process, making clear that Schenker will not be able to
bear any additional costs for printing errors.

Drei Masken Verlag inform Schenker that they have sent all of the material for
the second Meisterwerk volume to the printers, and that he should expect to receive three
copies of the page proofs and two copies of the music examples in due
course.

Hoboken reports on recent travels, including the July 15, 1927 Vienna riots. – He
has made progress on his index of Haydn's works, and has purchased some Beethoven first
editions. – He hopes to meet Furtwängler soon, and has recently heard from Vrieslander. – He
asks Schenker to inscribe a copy of Meisterwerk 2 to John Petrie Dunn.

Hoboken reports on meeting with Furtwängler regarding the Photogrammarchiv, and
expresses the hope that it will be possible to interest Furtwängler in performance according to
the sources in the Archive; he encloses the final version of the "Aufruf" for the Archive, and
discusses negotiations with the Austrian National Library and Ministry of Education. — Comments
on Oppel's plan to teach in Leipzig. — Agrees to Schenker's lesson plan and fee for 1927/28. —
Describes his travel plans, which include meetings with Louis Koch in Frankurt, Ludwig
Schiedermair in Bonn, contact with John Petrie Dunn in England, C. S. Terry in Scotland, and
Maurice Cauchie in Paris, and photographing [of sources] at the [Paris] Conservatory.

Schenker acknowledges OJ 11/54, [17], and discusses the nature of a "prospectus"
and the suitability of Vrieslander's text for that purpose. — He expresses an interest in
Hoboken's latest discoveries, and asks whether the latter could inquire in London as to the
whereabouts of the autograph manuscript of Beethoven's Op. 106.

Schenker thanks van Hoboken [for subventing Yearbook 2], while complaining at
Drei Masken Verlag's failure to send him his author's copies and its lack of honesty; he praises
Hoboken for his collection and service to mankind.

Reply from Dr. Richtera has arrived, and Schenker encloses it; Otto Erich Deutsch
is invited to give a lecture about the damages. — Hoboken has had a letter from Alban Berg that
may be intentionally ironic; Schenker reflects on the spirit of the Photogrammarchiv.

Schenker speaks of Hoboken's Photogrammarchiv as a "grand contribution," and of
the work to be done there; reports on a copy of Beethoven Sonata, Op. 90, by Archduke Rudolph. —
He will show Hoboken recent articles by Dahms and Vrieslander, and inquires about Hoboken's
birthday.— Furtwängler may come to Vienna permanently.

Hoboken has still made no progress on photographic work at the Paris
Conservatory. — He will go to Rotterdam and Münster. — Speaks of the importance of his Archive
work and contacts he has made. Will probably go to a concert featuring music of Alban Berg. — He
asks Schenker to intervene with O. E. Deutsch.

With thanks for birthday greetings, Schenker expresses how highly he values the
Photogrammarchiv while endorsing van Hoboken's turning down of an "honor" that he was offered. —
Schenker has, at Einstein's request, updated his entry in Riemann's Musiklexikon. — With the
success of the Urlinie through Der Tonwille, he no longer considers himself isolated.

Rinn sends a copy of Vrieslander's article on Schenker, which will appear in
the next issue of Der Kunstwart. — He looks forward to receiving Schenker's essay on German
poets and music, and hopes that Schenker will consider writing some commentary-style pieces
for him.

Tomay encloses various figures for the third Meisterwerk volume for Schenker's
consideration, and also informs Schenker that he will soon dispatch corrected copies of the
figures concerning movements 1–3 of Beethoven's Third Symphony for his approval to
publish.

Tomay responds to Schenker's questions about marking up corrections in the
music examples for the third Meisterwerk volume, and notifies him that he will send
blueprints of the music examples as soon as they have been produced.

Schenker assures his friend that he understands his difficulties, and that he
can be proud of holding his head high above those who do not understand music, or are
incapable of interpreting it beautifully. His own problems are focussed around money,
especially as his brother (Moses) has not given him the second part of his inheritance. He
has sought to find cheaper ways of producing the music examples for his latest writings: he
is more satisfied with the Eroica examples than the engraved illustrations from previous
volumes of Das Meisterwerk in der Musik, and is planning to issue Der freie Satz with a
volume of examples that is separate from the text. He repeats the news, from an earlier
letter, of his being mentioned in Romain Rolland's most recent Beethoven book, and of his
entry in Meyers Konversations-Lexicon, and also reports on an item about him in the Deutsche
Tonkünstler-Lexikon.

Weisse thanks Schenker for the essay "Rameau oder Beethoven?". He is surprised
to hear that Jonas has sought Schenker's help in finding employment, and urges Schenker not
to write a letter of recommendation until a concrete piece of work materializes. He is about
to go to Berlin to deliver two lectures on Schenker's theories, and has heard that Moriz
Violin and Reinhard Oppel will be there; he would like to give one of these lectures at
Schenker's home before a small audience of his most dedicated pupils, and suggests a date
and time for this.

Hoboken depicts the abundance of music in Berlin, contrasting Furtwängler,
Klemperer and Kleiber. — He has decided to withdraw his planned financing of the
Photogramarchiv's collected edition of C. P. E. Bach.

Hoboken is pleased at completion of Der freie Satz and reaffirms his financial
assistance for its printing. — Encloses a letter from Robert Haas and proposes a three-way
meeting. — Refers to the impact of his divorce has on his financial affairs. — May be able
to assist Jonas's publication.

Congratulating Hoboken on his forthcoming marriage to Frl. Boy, Schenker
reports that Kalmus is playing a devious financial game over Oktaven u. Quinten (which is in
press) and Der freie Satz (which he thinks will take two years to publish) that may yet see
the latter revert to Cotta. — He speaks of Marx's naiveté over the proposed school version
of Harmonielehre. — He reports on the remaining stocks of Das Meisterwerk in der
Musik.

Schenker congratulates Hoboken and Eva Boy on their engagement, and comments
on a Frankfurter Zeitung article that Hoboken has sent him, and satirizes the laws that
Hitler has recently introduced. — He encloses his own article, "Was wird aus der Musik?" —
He encloses an invoice from Universal Edition.

Schenker recounts a visit to Grinzing to view Hoboken's new house, and then to
the Kobenzl; — reports on last-minute work for Der freie Satz and a new edition of the Beethoven
piano sonatas; — comments on political developments in Europe; — Jeanette and he are leaving for
the summer vacation.

8-page letter: Schenker thanks Hoboken for his support for Jonas's new book. — He
reminds Hoboken of his earlier promise to support Der freie Satz financially, and predicts that
costs will be high. — Otto Erich Deutsch has been granted a course at the Vienna Academy for
Music and Performing Arts.

Hoboken assures Schenker that he will support him in his work. — He outlines
the restrictions that he has placed on Otto Erich Deutsch, and expresses irritation that
Deutsch has been offered a course at the Vienna Academy. — He is annoyed at the political
views expressed by E. F. Schmid, who has been appointed at the University of
Graz.